Work clamp and gauge



Feb. 26, 192 1 485,082 I G. A. KIRKBRIDE WORK CLAMP AND GAUGE Filed Dec. 11. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 in-neuron GEOQGE A. KIQKBRrQE.

7 G. A. KIRKBRIDE Feb. 26 1924.

WORK CLAMP AND GAUGE, v

- 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec." 11. 1922 rwc-nboz I GEORGE A. Kl 9K BQI DE.

wazs u 1 Patented F&. 26, i924.

PATEN? @FFEQE.

GEDB-GE A. KIRKBBIDE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PmSYLVmA.

WORK CLAMP AND GAUGE. 6

Application filed December 11, 1922. Serial No. 696,188.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. Krnmanrnn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Philadelphia, in the countv of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Work Clamps and Gauges, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a clamp and gauge to be usedin connection with sewing. and perforating machines for forming imitation tips for shoes and other articles where stitching is to be done on a regular curve.

An object of the invention is to provide such a device with a pivoted clamp which extends to a point adjacent the needles, whereby the article, after being started through the machine, will be guided through the proper curve by means of the clamp and pivot, thereby promoting accuracy and relieving the eves of the operator.

Another object of the invention is the provision or a device of the above character which is readily adjustable toward or from the needles in order to vary the degree of curvature of the stitching on the tip.

A further object of the invention resides in the use of a gauge in connection with the work clamp, in order that the article to be perforated and stitched will always be accurately ositioned so that the line of stitching will symmetrically arranged thereon.

Another object of the invention is the rovision of a gauge which is radially ad ustable in order that the length of the imitation tip may be varied.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a machine with my attachment in place.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the work plate with the clamp and gauge plate attached.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the irregular line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section taken on the irregular line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the upper member of the work clamp.

Referring to the drawings more in detail,

the numeral 1 indicates the work plate of a sewing machine provided with the usual needle bars 2, presser foot 3 and feeding mechanism 4. Pivoted to the work plate 1 by means of'the screw 5 is a radius plate 6.

plate 6 by means of pin 9 is a work clamp Pnses the substantially sectorwhich shaped plate 10 and clamping member 11 pivoted thereto, as indicated at 12. A coil spring 13 is provided for normally holding the end of the clamping member 11 in enga ement with the plate 10.

y the construction thus far described it is obvious that the work clam may be adjusted relatively to the line oi stitching by loosening the set-screw 8 and swin ing the radius plate 6 about its pivot 5. The screw 8 is then tightened and the new pivot point of the work clamp thereby fixed. lln this manner the degree of curvature of the line of stitching may be changed at will.

In order that the shoe vamp A may be quickly placed in the clamp in proper position, it have provided the gauge plate 14% having the laterally extending arm 15, which is provided with the diagonal slots 16 and 17. These slots receive the pivot screws 5 and 9 of the radius plate and mrmit a radial adjustment of the plate in order that the length of the imitation tip may be varied when desired.

It should be here noted that the screw 9 is formed with a shoulder which will engage and lock the gauge plate 1a in position, but will permit a free swinging movement of the work plate. An arcuate slot or line 18 is formed on the gauge plate to be used in positioning the vain s.

In operation, t e work clampis drawn toward the operator and opened and the end of the vamp inserted therein, the usual notches in the side edges of the vamp registering with the gauge line 18. The vamp is then moved under the needles and the opermil ation of forming the imitationtip is automatically completed throu h the instrumentalities of the feeding mec anism a and the pivoted work clamp.

a through the Should it be desired to alter the length of the tips being formed it is only necessary to loosen the set-screws 5 and 9 and move the gauge plate 14 in the proper direction medium of the slots 16 and 17. Also when a different of curvature is required for the line 0 stitchi the setscrew 8 may be loosened and e radius apse of a through the slot of the radius plate 11 adapted to lock the radius plate in adjusted position, and a work clamp pivoted to said plate, and a substantially sector-shape u plate ad ustably connected to the work plate 6 swung on its pivot until the pivot pin ga go 9 reaches the position desired.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided an extremely sim-.

ple mechanism for guidin the work through the stitching machine w ich not only fpermits a read and accurate positioning 0 the vam within the work clamp, but also one by which both the length of the tip and its curvature may be varied as desired.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described what I now believe to be the best embodiment of the invention, but I do not wish to be understood thereby as limiting myself or the scope of the invention, as many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention; all such I aim to include in the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a radius late havin pivotmg said ra ius plate to the work plate a slot therein, means for plate between the latter and the work clam 3. In a sewing machine having a wor plate, a work clamp pivoted to the work plate, means permitting a bodil adjimment of the work clamp toward or fiom the line of stitching, whereby the degree of curvature of the line of stitching may be varied, and a gauge for co-operation with said work clamp.

a. n a sewing machine having a work plate, a gauge plate mounted thereon, and a work clamp above said gau plate and pivoted to the work plate, sai gauge plate being provided with an arcuate guide line.

5. In a sewing machine having a work plate, a radius plate pivoted to the work plate, means for locking the radius plate in adjusted position, a gen plate -ad1ustably mounted on the radius p ate, a work clamp mounted above said gau plate, and means for pivoting the work c amp to the radius plate.

GEORGE A. 1

' 'l machine, a set-screw extend deal 

